To what extent is the hadith authentic which states that an angel descends every night and proclaims various ages, then says: "Were it not for bowing worshippers, reverent men, suckling infants, and grazing livestock, punishment would be poured upon you profusely"?

The report is composed of two weak hadiths that are not authentically attributed to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. The first is: "There is no night except that a caller calls from the depths of the Throne..." In its chain of narration is Ibrahim ibn Hudbah, who is accused of lying. It was also narrated that Wahb ibn Munabbih found it in some of the books of the Children of Israel. The second is: "Were it not for worshipping servants bowing, and suckling infants, and grazing animals, punishment would be poured upon you, then crushed utterly." In its chain of narration are Malik ibn Ubaydah al-Dayli and Abd al-Rahman ibn Sa'd ibn Ammar, both of whom are weak and unknown. Another chain of narration for it, which includes Ibrahim ibn Khuthaym, has also been deemed weak. It was also narrated as a mursal report in another narration, with weakness in its chain of narration.